Three Dances
Reviewed by Jannelys Santiago
Dance Camera West Festival
Through January 12
This review is part of the Z. Clark Branson/Stage Raw/Grow@TheWallis Mentorship Program for Young Journalists
Three Dances, Documentary Feature, Glória Halász, Hungary
Three different personalities; three ages, yet the same goal. Gifted children and young teenagers go through rigorous dance training to show their talents. Hungarian director Glória Halász shines her lights on the Hungarian Dance Academy and the arduous discipline it imposes. Through that discipline, and self-discipline, three different students learn lessons of self-importance and never giving up. We follow the lives of first grader Marcell Ulrich, fifth grader Abél Mezai, and ninth grader Bendegúz Kóbor. (All of the student dancers play themselves.)
Marcell is first seen practicing for physical exams: Children are lined up for auditions, based on what they have been studying for the past six months. The female teacher had been instructing a group of young boys. She explained “that although it will be painful and you will hate me,” they should focus on themselves; this advice will help them in the long run. This training is stressful for both the students and the teacher. It is her job to teach them the basics, and how they do at the exam reflects on her teaching skills. There is a transition of Marcell dancing, but it seems as if he is in a dream. These surreal moments express the different emotions he is feeling, and the way dancing is the clearest manifestation of his energy.
Before their exams the boys toss powder above their heads in a circle for luck. It is clear they are nervous going into the exam. Although Marcell has been training for this event for six months, at the end of the exam he receives a B. Disappointing? All that matters to him is the dedication and hours he has put into this work.
Abél is in his fifth year, and although he is still a child, the training is strict. Since he is older, the requirements for him to pass are more rigorous and the teacher uses positivity in many ways, yet when Abel or any of his classmates messes up there are consequences They need to stay calm and keep their focus during training. There is another section featuring Abél practicing, it seems as if the transitions from dream to reality are part of his constant thought process, particularly in sections when he is not physically there at the dance studio. Each day he pushes his physical boundaries. Yet during dancing practice, he recognizes through his training that it is important to stay humble. Although there may be times when other people are better at the dance, or Abél is better at a certain time, being humble will show compassion for others.
Abél at times goes out running, he sees running as a chance for freedom – perhaps even freedom from the restrictions of having his own future mapped out by his choice of pursuing dance as a career.
Abél had to leave his family, for his studies far from his home. It is his fifth year there and even though he misses his family he knows that this is great for him because it is for education and opportunities for his future. Abél has to go through in-house competitions, and he make an impression with the dedication he has put into dancing.
Bendegúz is older and more mature since he is in the nineth grade, and although he practices his ballet, he has to be conscious of his body for medical reasons. He grew abnormally fast, so his muscles are weak and he remains on painkillers. He loves to dance, but he has to take medication for his muscles. Bendegúz goes through a series of constant massages, stretching, and he has to go for check-ups regularly. Recognizing this drawback, his parents realized how much he loved the theater, and he started studying ballet of 14, though usually a successful dancer would have started nine or 10. Bendegúz has six months to catch up to his peers, to meet their standards of sautés (jumps) or turns. He feels constantly behind, yet he is nothing if not determined.
One scene shows him as the Prince in The Nutcracker, and there is a lot of stress on him. There is another sequence of him dancing by himself, to reveal his inner thoughts and feelings. The locale shifts to the Vienna State Opera where he is having difficulty in certain parts of the dance. More stress during practice, as he strives for excellence. During the performance there are backstage shots, Bendegúz looks nervous and although he has practiced, there is anticipation in his eyes. The audience consists of children who are young — nine to 12 years old. His dance is beautifully executed and he is quite proud of himself in the end. Bendegúz is an emblem of tenacity.
Three Dances is about the techniques and the hardships faced when striving to reach difficult goals. It is a story of in the lessons of professional humility and dedication. Even though at times life may not be fair, in the eyes of both Abel and Marcell, it takes time and practice through each season to feel that something has been accomplished, improved upon. Even with his weakened muscles, Bendegúz expresses himself through his art, and therefore had given himself the opportunity of a better future. Art is not jealousy, it is compassion. It is life.
DANCE CAMERA WEST FESTIVAL at REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., Downtown; and AUTOMATA, 504 Chung King Ct., Chinatown; Thurs.-Sun., screening times vary; through Jan. 12th. Festival Schedule here. Running time: 76:00
